Le Petit Virevent is in Saint-Saturnin-lès-Apt, in the Apt region, in the heart of the Luberon. From here, the best-known hilltop villages of Provence, the ochre cliffs, hiking trails and markets are all within a short drive. Here are our pointers for planning your stay.
The hilltop villages of the Luberon
Saint-Saturnin-lès-Apt, your village
A medieval village perched on a rocky spur above the plain, Saint-Saturnin-lès-Apt has the ruins of its old fortress and a windmill above the rooftops. You will find lively little streets, an old fountain and a statue of Joseph Talon, a truffle grower: the village is also truffle and cherry country.
Roussillon and its ochre cliffs
Roussillon is famous for its red and orange cliffs and for façades of the same colours. The Ochre Trail (Sentier des ocres) lets you walk through the former quarries in a landscape found nowhere else in Provence.
Gordes and Sénanque Abbey
Gordes stacks its stone houses up the hillside. Nearby, Sénanque Abbey, surrounded by lavender fields in summer, is one of the most visited sites in the Luberon.
Bonnieux, Lacoste and Ménerbes
These three villages on the northern slope of the Petit Luberon offer quiet lanes, panoramic views over the valley and terraces to linger on. At Bonnieux, the Petit Luberon cedar forest makes a shaded walk in summer.
Lourmarin and the south of the massif
On the other side of the Luberon, Lourmarin and its Renaissance château are less than an hour away by road: a good idea for a day trip.
Nature, hiking and cycling
- Colorado Provençal (Rustrel): former ochre quarries turned into a scenery of red cliffs, about fifteen minutes from the villa.
- Ochre Trail (Roussillon): an easy walk, best done when the light is soft.
- Véroncle gorges: hiking routes link Saint-Saturnin-lès-Apt to Gordes through the gorges.
- Bruoux mines (Gargas): a former underground ochre mine, a few kilometres from the village.
- Cycling the Luberon: a signposted 236 km route around the massif, which you can also split into stages.
Markets, wine and local flavours
The Apt market on Saturday morning is one of the region’s great events; L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue holds its own on Sunday. Apt is also known for its candied fruit. The Luberon’s wine cellars and estates can be visited all year round, cherries ripen in spring and the truffle season starts in autumn. Market hours change with the seasons: check with the tourist offices.
Lavender fields: where and when
Lavender usually blooms from late June to mid-July, depending on altitude and the year’s weather. Sénanque Abbey near Gordes and the Sault plateau further east are the two best-known places. Dates change every year: check how the bloom is doing before you set out.
What to do by season
- Spring: cherry blossom, walks in mild sunshine, villages without the crowds.
- Summer: the pool, morning markets, lavender, evenings on the terrace and early-morning visits to avoid the heat.
- Autumn: the colours of the vineyards and ochres, the grape harvest, the start of the truffle season.
- Winter: quiet villages, truffle markets and walks in low sunlight.
Driving times from the villa
- Aptabout 10–15 min
- Roussillonabout 15 min
- Colorado Provençal (Rustrel)about 15 min
- Bonnieuxabout 25 min
- Gordesabout 30 min
- Lacoste, Ménerbes, Lourmarinunder an hour
- Avignon (TGV station)about 1 h
Approximate times from the village of Saint-Saturnin-lès-Apt, outside peak summer traffic: check your route before setting off.
Getting to the villa
By car, take the A7 motorway to the Avignon Sud exit (or Cavaillon), then follow signs to Apt and Saint-Saturnin-lès-Apt. The Avignon and Aix-en-Provence TGV stations and the Avignon-Caumont and Marseille-Provence airports serve the area (allow about 1 h 30 from Marseille airport). Public transport is limited: a car is strongly recommended to discover the villages.